mtnbiker326

I am also with everyone else here regarding rinseless being a better waterless solution (dollar wise) than straight up waterless.  I just traded for an empty waterless wash gallon container for the price of shipping it (yes it is expensive).  Even with the shipping, the gallon of rinseless diluted to waterless (1:16) comes out to $3.13 per gallon of waterless in product only.  Just add another $5ish for shipping of the empty gallon and the price for waterless wash (smelling like rinseless blueberry) is ~$8.13 vs waterless that is $39.95.  Huge savings.  Now that I own the gallon container, I can just refill it for $3.13 vs another $39.95.  To me this is a no brainer.

When you can use rinseless diluted for waterless washing, rinseless washing, claying, bug treatment, bird dung treatment, dust removal, etc, it is hard to justify the extra cost associated with waterless wash.  At least in my mind.

Any thoughts?

I talked to Ben (at Adam's) and he stated that they are just out of stock right now and will resupply here really soon.  It isn't going away just yet.  (at least according to Adam's CS team)

True... But it is still sold as a set.  I would agree that the larger one is for a buffer/sander application.

http://www.autogeek.net/flex-hd-polisher-backing-plate.html    

(just for reference)

The FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System will allow you to use 4 inch, 5 inch, and 6.5 inch pads with just the three pieces included.

(this includes the backing plate included with the unit)

I hate to disagree, but I have 3 backing plates.  They are all different sizes.  

What I will agree with, is that yes the 4 3/8" bp (which is actually 3.75" actually pad space) is for the smaller normal 5.5" pads (not sold by Adam's) and the 4" focus pads will not fit.

The stock bp is 5.5" for Adam's normal larger pads. 

The third bp is 6.5" which also works with Adam's pads (but is literally on the edge of the hook and loop) and any larger 7-8" pads.

That sounds like a deal. Thanks! Where are you in abq? I'm in the north valley area.

Im in the north east heights

Send me a PM and we can set things up.

Yea I figured why not. I'll be doing some paint correction here in the summer so I want to make sure that I have a good knowledge beforehand.

Welcome from another 505'er.  I have a full range of Adam's products if you wanna chat sometime and test something out on the truck before you commit more funding (which you will... I guarantee it) 

There only 2 backplates for the flex 3401. 5.5 inch and 4 3/8 inch. So the smallest pad u can use is 5.5 inch pad. I use 4inch pad on a PC.

Just to clarify, you are stating that there are 2 backing plates in addition to the standard plate that comes with all flexes as the 6.5"... correct?

Thanks, the Firehawk was very special and hard to give up. I took pictures of that exact car in 2001 at Daytona while it was in the Pontiac booth. 11 years later I ended up buying that exact car, after doing a little research and help from SLP.

That is dedication my friend.  Well done.  I am glad to see that even in spite of that, you are still going to enjoy the power of that wagon

I bet you still miss the Firehawk though.    That is such a fun car.

Great choice as a replacement though.  

Then you will have a perfect shine without ANY damage or wear from water spots or calcium build up or dirt with rain or mud.  

But Adam's could still sell this as a solution to apply on top of Patriot or Americana Wax.  Protect your WAX from grime.  

I'm not exactly sure what the hold up is. Tracking number said I'd have it last Friday and now the estimated delivery date is: N/A

Since it has been more than a couple of shipping days, I would call fedex or UPS (can't remember which shipped mine) and get an update from them directly as well as see about filing for a missing package report.

You can't use Adam's 4" pads.  I have the 4" backing plate for my flex.  But it only accepts 4" pads that are 4" minimum on the backing portion.  Adam's pads are around 3.75" and thus won't fit.  (they have the plastic ring around it so you can't get a secure bonding for the hook and loop backing to the plate)

You can save it for a future rinseless wash.  It will lose it's nice blue color, but will work fine.  I keep rinseless wash mixed at wash strength in a 1/2 gallon pump-up sprayer for pre-soaking the car.  

I like the idea of putting the lid on and knowing that it will still be ok for that long afterwards  Thanks for the Tip.

Funny thing Timmy... I thought to ask this question last week as I came up with the same scenario.  I finished my rinseless and had about 1.5 gal left of CLEAN rinseless wash left (with about 4-5 oz of product).  Was going to just throw it in the gutter with the dirty water bucket but then my dad said... hey, even though I am not going to wash the car, can I just dump the clean rinseless water on my car and just rinse it off (help get the dirt off)?  I said sure, as it wasn't full strength for waterless and I wasn't planning on another rinseless for about a week or so.

I was able to get the center console and attachments uninstalled in my miata.  I also prepped everything for the final push tomorrow to remove the transmission for a clutch replacement.

Yesterday I successfully completed a Gary Dean method Rinseless wash with 4 BB towels, 2 buckets, 2 utility towels (wheels) a 1 glass cleaning towel.  All in under 45 min.    Would have been faster but it was the first time I tackled the wheels with this method and that took me more than 20 min of that 45.  So technically the wash only took me 20-25 min (everything but wheels).  Can't argue with that.  

Right now I'm working with a one car garage so the sidekick is about all I can use. When we upgrade to a bigger space, a master blaster will be one of the first additions!

You will not be disappointed with the Sidekick.  It is a GREAT tool.  I wish I had bought it earlier instead of MORE GWT.  

I ordered one 3 weeks ago and still haven't seen it!

OI?!  I would definitely call Sarah or Ashley and ask about any update from Metrovac.

Saw the earlier post you stated as you talked to Ashley and Ben.  Did they have an explanation as to the delay?

It does bother me alittle, but that's my OCD. LOL

That is why... I have "ONE" double soft still in the bag for me to reference to and look at and feel better about not having all of my double softs exactly white anymore.  

I too also have a few with a blue hue. But they still work great.

Most of mine have a "green" hue to them (glass towels thrown in first wash)

I agree... No loss of usefullness, just color.  I say it is better than a "blackish" staining color though.

How about Adam's Furniture Polish?  Make your furniture shine and smell as good as your car!!  

Yes,  You always want your furniture to have that same level face meltering as your clear coat.  Even when you spill food and drink on it   

This is what I did.image.jpg

That is cool.

Yes I have (after the first wash) and haven't had much staining.  But if you didn't wash the blues first, then YES the doubles will have a slight blue hue to it.

Yes I purchased one 2 weeks ago.  It took a week to get sent out from the NJ facility.  So, patience is a virtue.    Adam's is all over the Tracking though.  

You will LOVE it!  Too bad I can't use it with a Gary Dean Rinseless Wash Method

Thanks guys.  

Has anyone had any experience with using the Flex with 4" pads?  Do you think if I had those 4" pads, could the flex have done the interior contours of the left portion of the engine bay that Pete was working on with the Cyclo?